06/12/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Central Bank (ECB) is planning to change the design of future euro banknotes. An advisory working group composed of one expert per Euro area country will submit a series of new themes that could be selected to replace the current theme of architectural styles. The public will then be invited to vote. On this basis, a design competition will be launched and, finally, citizens will again be able to give their opinion. A final decision will be taken in 2024. Despite the increase in cashless payments during the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for banknotes and coins has risen, reflecting the essential role of cash as a store of value, the ECB said in a statement. “We want to develop euro banknotes that Europeans can identify with and that they will be proud to use”, said ECB Executive Board member Fabio Panetta. (MB)